Trayvon Martin Protesters Gather Outside CNN Building in Los Angeles

At least six police helicopters roared overhead as a crowd gathered outside the CNNbuilding Sunday night to protest the ruling in the George Zimmerman trial.

Trailed by a slow procession of police, protesters made their way to CNN after walking along Hollywood Boulevard. Sections of Highland Avenue were closed off by police in riot gear.

Some protesters began banging on the glass doors of the CNN building at nearly midnight to chants of “No justice, no peace.” Others tried to disperse the crowd, likely concerned about police intervention.

Few camera crews were on hand to cover the procession down Sunset. One officer estimated that about 50 protestors had gathered, although the crowd swelled with onlookers.

On Saturday, a six-woman jury found Zimmerman, a Florida neighborhood watch volunteer, not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter in the shooting death of unarmed African-American teenager Trayvon Martin last year. The case has sparked nationwide protests and renewed discussions on race relations throughout the country and in the media.

At least nine police officers eventually stood outside the CNN building entrance. Protestors linked hands in a giant circle in front of them.

UPDATE: A little after midnight, police officers declared the crowd to be an “unlawful assembly” and demanded people disperse. Protesters had largely left the area by 12:45 a.m., although some angrily confronted police as they made their way south. After throwing one African-American man to the ground, police began chasing protesters further south. The LAPD made three arrests by the end of the night, one officer confirmed.

Angelenos took to the streets earlier in the day, briefly shutting down the 10 Freeway as many marched across it.